Who is running for Missouri House, District 19 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Missouri House, District 19 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Missouri House District 19.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Karen Irene SpaldingRepublican | Wick ThomasDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestSaid · low | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · medium |
| Guns | Keep current laws and enforce what is already on the booksSaid · medium | Add universal background checks and red-flag lawsSaid · low |
| Gender care for minors | No public position | Leave it to parents and doctorsOfficial action · medium |
| Death penalty | No public position | Abolish it and use life without parole insteadOfficial action · medium |
| Childcare and pre-K | No public position | Offer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidSaid · low |
Karen Irene Spalding
RepublicanMusic teacher; member, Jackson County Republican Committee
Karen Spalding is a music teacher with about 20 years in area public schools and a member of the Jackson County Republican Committee12. She ran for this seat in 2024 and calls herself 'the conservative voice and choice'1. In a 2024 interview she said she opposes added gun control, wants to keep abortion banned and favors giving job preference to American citizens1.
Where they stand 2 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
GunsKeep current laws and enforce what is already on the booksmedium
Said · medium confidence- In a 2024 phone interview with KCUR she said she opposes additional gun control policies. (2024-08) source
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
Said · low confidence- In a 2024 phone interview with KCUR she said she wants to keep abortion banned in Missouri. (2024-08) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Wick Thomas
Democrat · IncumbentState representative, District 19 (Kansas City)
Wick Thomas is a Kansas City community college faculty librarian who was first elected to Missouri House District 19 in 20245. Thomas's campaign says it supports Medicaid expansion, affordable housing and stricter gun control43. Official sponsored-bill lists show repeal-of-ban and death penalty abolition bills5.
Where they stand 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)medium
Said · medium confidenceGender care for minorsLeave it to parents and doctorsmedium
Childcare and pre-KOffer free pre-K to every 4-year-old, and expand childcare aidlow
Said · low confidence- Campaign site says he supports universal early childhood education. (2026) source
- Voted yes on final passage of HB 269, the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act (120 to 34). (2025-02-27) source
- Voted yes on final passage of HB 2409, the Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act (second year) (97 to 44). (2026-04-02) source
GunsAdd universal background checks and red-flag lawslow
Said · low confidence- Campaign site says he will work to institute stricter gun control policy. (2026) source
RedistrictingNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted no on HB 1 (2025 second extraordinary session), the new congressional map drawn in the middle of the decade (House 90 to 65). (2025-09-09) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.